Eric Smith
Literary agent (Neighborhood Literary) and YA author; shares agenting updates, resources, and supportive advice for writers.
Read Your Query, Talk Naturally, Not Audition
Off to a workshop tomorrow, so my annual reminder. If you’re pitching agents or editors at an in-person event, just read your query. Don’t stress about memorizing things. It’s not an audition, it’s just a conversation. ❤️
Seeking Cookbooks Rich in History and Storytelling
Doing a little research for a new project… friends, what are some of your favorite cookbooks that are heavy on the history and storytelling? IE: The Mosquito Supper Club or California Soul.
Pause Before You Fire: Opportunity Disguised as Scam
It finally happened. I almost sent a wildly mean reply to a publishing scammer, only to discover it was a real, major opportunity before hitting send. 😬
Will Answer Queries Once Baby Sleeps Through Night
I do appreciate folks nudging to see when I’ll open to queries again. The answer is “when the new baby sleeps through the night.” I largely read at night, and I gotta be present. Send good vibes that happens soon though cause...
Scammers Pose as Kickstarter on Publishing Platforms—Stay Vigilant
Now publishing scammers are posing as people at Kickstarter? What is next. It came from an obvious fake Gmail address. Writer friends, please be careful.
Dad in 40s Discovers Birding with Smart Camera Birdhouse
A smart birdhouse with a camera inside arrived today, because as a Dad in my 40’s, birding has come for me.
Stay Focused, Support Each Other Amid Publishing Challenges
Been a rough week in publishing (it’s Tuesday, Lemon), and I’m reminding myself of the advice I try to give everyone else. Focus on what you can control. I’m doing my best to check in with colleagues, see what support I...
Five Years of Writing, Now My Book Becomes a Sub
Alright, looks like my adult upmarket novel is going out on sub. Or since it’s a very Philadelphia book, going out on hoagie. “Eric you made a sub and hoagie joke a week after the discourse, we have to drop you.”...
Finally Launching Philly’s “Scrapple Loaf” Writers Workshop
Every year I joke about starting a literary writers workshop in Philly called Scrapple Loaf and honestly, next year might be the year I do it.
Success in Publishing: Platform Mastery Beats Networking Alone
Chatted with USA Today about selling books, navigating platform, consolidation, and how it isn’t all about who you know. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2026/03/22/how-to-be-a-novelist-author/89199046007/
Even Babies Teach Timing: Pause Before Posting
I was moments away from commenting on a bad faith publishing take on here and then my baby projectile spit up on my phone, and I feel like there’s a lesson here.
Read Your Query, Don't Memorize: Pitch Stress-Free
At a writing conference today, so my annual reminder. If you book time to chat with editors or agents, and you’re pitching your work… just read your query. Don’t try to memorize things and put that extra pressure on yourself. It’s...
Losing Editors Means Losing Books: Industry Crisis
Ugh. Lots of rumbling about editor layoffs in publishing, and oh my god, if you keep letting go of the people who make the books happen, you won’t have the books. I want to scream.
Agency Client Lands on Bestseller List, Celebration!
It was so exciting yesterday to see an agency client hit the bestseller list. ❤️❤️❤️
Seeking Fresh Book Deals, Not Zelda Frustrations
Alright blood moon, let’s manifest some good book news. Agent signings, deals, bestseller lists, and not like, all the ways you keep f*cking with Link in the Zelda games. We need a break.